Health Library

Do You Know How to Preserve Your Eyesight?

Can you harm your vision by sitting too close to the TV? Why is vitamin A good for your eyes? Who is at risk for cataracts? Find the answers by taking this quiz.

1. Which of these habits harms your vision?

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These habits tire eye muscles but won't permanently damage vision.

A. Sitting too close to a TVB. Reading without enough lightC. Reading too longD. None of the above

2. Doctors advise people not to look directly at the sun. What is it about sunlight that damages eyes?

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When outdoors during the day, wear sunglasses that screen 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.

A. Ultraviolet radiationB. HeatC. MicrowavesD. Brightness

3. An insufficient amount of this vitamin can cause problems with night vision. Which one?

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A deficiency severe enough to cause night blindness is rare, but any disease or condition that interferes with the body's vitamin A absorption can affect night vision.

A. Vitamin KB. Vitamin EC. Vitamin AD. Vitamin D

4. Safety experts recommend wearing safety goggles during which of these activities?

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Lawnmowers cause more than 5,000 eye injuries each year, according to Prevent Blindness America. Stones and other objects can shoot out from beneath a mower, ricochet off a curb or foundation, and hit the person mowing. An errant basketball can fracture an eye socket, scratch a cornea, or cause other eye damage. Household chemical can damage the eyes if the chemicals accidentally splash. Be cautious when opening and using detergents, bleaches, ammonia, and oven and drain cleaners.

A. Mowing the lawnB. Playing basketballC. Cleaning with chemicalsD. All of the above

5. Which of these diseases is a major cause of blindness among older Americans?

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Glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and some forms of age-related macular degeneration can be successfully treated if diagnosed early enough. That's why it is important to have your vision routinely checked by an eye care provider.

In most cases, increased pressure inside the eye causes glaucoma. Unless this pressure is controlled, it can damage the optic nerve and lead to permanent vision loss. People at risk for developing glaucoma include African Americans older than 40, anyone older than 60, and those with a family history of glaucoma.

A. It is a condition with no symptoms early onB. It damages the optic nerveC. Vision lost from glaucoma can't be restoredD. All of the above

7. What causes cataracts?

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Scientists have identified a higher correlation between the development of cataracts and diabetes, use of steroids such as prednisone and aging. Smoking and prolonged exposure to extremely bright sunlight, such as that experienced by fishermen, also seem to increase the risk.

A. DiabetesB. AgingC. Medications (such as steroids)D. All of the above

8. AMD is the most common cause of vision impairment in Americans ages 60 and older. How does it affect eyesight?

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In AMD, the cells in the macula (the central portion of the retina) gradually cease to function, causing a person's central vision to become fuzzier and eventually make it impossible to read, drive, or do close-up work. Most people with AMD retain their peripheral vision.

10. A seven-year study found people with AMD significantly reduced progression of the disease by taking which of these nutritional supplements?

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A high-dose combination of these elements reduced the risk of advanced stages by 25 percent, according to the study, which was sponsored by the National Eye Institute. Zeoxanthin, a carotenoid found in spinach and greens, also helps. The wet form of AMD, the less common form, can also be treated with laser therapy or medication. Two drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to slow or block the growth of new blood vessels in wet AMD, thus preserving sight. Both are injected into the eye. Pegaptanib, a drug that is injected every six weeks, was approved in 2004; ranibizumab, which is injected monthly, was approved in 2006.